Malin to Mizen Head cycle proceeds presented to Irish Kidney Association at pub near Carrick-on-Suir

Pictured at the presentation of the €3,380 cheque at Lisadobber Pub were: front: cyle organiser Nigel Hanrahan, Kilkenny IKA Branch Chairman Owen Hanrahan, Kilkenny IKA Branch Treasurer Bridget Langton, cyclists Rosemary Cusack and Jim Tobin; Middle row: cyclists Ray Daly and Sean Cusack; Kilkenny IKA Branch Secretary Sara Santi and cyclist John Tobin. Back: cyclists Gordon Cooke, Andrew O’Meara, Joe Butler, Ky Vaughan, Tom Tobin and Matt Greene. Missing from photo is co-organiser Declan Blanchfield and cyclists Ger Blanchfield, William Cantwell, Ballingarry and Paddy Rogan, Limerick. picture Anne Marie Magorrian

An epic expedition by a group of cyclists who pedalled more than 900km from Donegal’s Malin Head to Mizen Head in Cork in September, has raised close to €3,400 for the Irish Kidney Association.

The €3,380 proceeds of the fundraising expedition was presented by the cyclists to the Irish Kidney Association’s Kilkenny Branch Treasurer Bridget Langton at a ceremony in Lisadobber Pub near Carrick-on-Suir on Saturday, November 11.

The IKA Kilkenny Branch’s Chairman Owen Hanrahan, who was also involved in the fundraising expedition, and Secretary Sara Santi were also in attendance.

The cyclists completed the arduous cycle from Ireland’s most northerly point to its most southerly location between September 1 and 6. The expedition was organised over several months by two of the cyclists Declan Blanchfield and Nigel Hanrahan from Ballyneale.

Declan and Nigel were joined on the expedition by Ger Blanchfield from Ballyneale but now resident in San Francisco, Andrew O’Meara, Jim Tobin, John Tobin all from Ballyneale, William Cantwell from Ballingarry, Gordon Cooke of The Commons, Matt Greene and Séan Cusack from Rathgormack, Waterford; Joe Butler, Clonmel; Ky Vaughan, Mullinahone and Paddy Rogan, Limerick.

They were backed up by Tom Tobin from Ballyneale on the first day and Rosemary Cusack, Rathgormack on the last day.

The support team of Ray Daly, Balyneale and Owen Hanrahan from Kilamery, Kilkenny ensured safety at all times along the route.

The team were blessed with ideal weather conditions as they tracked the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal before continuing their journey along the Irish coastline to Mizen Head.

IKA Kilkenny Branch Chairman Owen Hanrahan thanked all involved in the fundraising effort for their massive support and contributions especially the cyclists and support team who braved the 900km trip.

Owen received a kidney transplant in October 2019 at the age of 41 and is sincerely grateful to the donor family.

He is now working part time and enjoys spending time with his wife Therese and their three sons.

Owen described his transplant as ‘a work in progress’ and urged people to consider becoming donors and discussing this with their families, as the precious gift of a donor organ is a potential gift of hope and life to others.

The Irish Kidney Association is a charity that offers services to people with chronic kidney disease including counselling, advocacy, peer support, organising travel at home and abroad for people on dialysis and linking them with local medical services.

Poulacapple NS Sensory Room

Malin to Mizen head cyclist Ky Vaughan from Mullinahone, meanwhile, thanks everyone who generously donated to the Go Fund Me page to provide a sensory room in Poulacapple National School. The amount raised to date is over €5,000.
“This has been a brilliant response from everyone, thank you,” he said